But assuming planning permission is granted as required, those revenues could be very profitable. For example, Saints could apply for a performance licence and have gigs or other shows there on top of holding weddings, conferences, parties, etc and the ongoing use of the stadium cafe and shop. That's on top of any extra matches they may hold. While there is the matter of upkeep to consider that should be minimal for a good few years as it is a brand new facility. I think, though, what is really good about owning your own is the control you have over your own destiny. I think that's priceless because it allows all the above plus more (for instance, we can play extra matches at the stadium without seeking approval from our landlords or co-owners or whatever).

To be fair, unlike say the HJ, the new Saints stadium looks nice enough to hold events and gigs in. Could be a good moneyspinner for Saints and help offset the low ticket income due to the poor supporter base (sorry but I couldn't be positive without a dig to balance things up

)

Wasn't their a caveat in the planning approval that distinctly prohibited concerts at the new stadium?
As for the extra matches, you do know that the play off games generate no revenue from ticket sales for the home clubs and that all the receipts are pooled and divied out as prize money dependent on the final placings after the play offs. So that would just be friendlies and the WCC. The WCC is Superleague/RFL event and as your new stadium (I don't think) has no undersoil heating I wouldn't imagine them taking the chance on playing that game there.

As you have stated the BIG advantage is non match day revenues from conferences etc, but I have heard a rumour that St. Helens Town FC may play their games there, but that won't generate much cash.

IMO the top 3 stadia in superleague are :-

!. The KC
2. The DW
3. The Galpharm

The DW loses out on the top spot because it isn't wrap-around.

BTW Size matters!

Warrington's ground had the non-concert planning condition.

It seems the most pertinent aspect people are missing in respect of owning your own ground, is the land it is sat on. That is the real asset.

Love us to own our own stadium, just for the bragging rights but realistically, building your own place is a huge financial burden at the moment. I know Warrington seem to be showing everyone the way but we all suspect there's some slight of hand involved somewhere. I reckon, as a club we are miles better being joint tenants at the DW and relatively secure financially, than investing in a new ground. I'd guess Saints have targeted and will need an average crowd of around 11,000 to break even. Just think if they have a couple of poor seasons. Unless the directors are prepared to dig deep you could see their new ground becoming a millstone. Having said that, wish we still had Central Park, albeit developed, with the Riverside club in full swing and that Latics were our tenants.

Imagine a developed central park with a brand new sweeping terrace to replace the pop side and the kop which runs round the corner like the old one did, but all brand new and modern. Then a new stand opposite the pop side with new facilities etc. That would have been a dream.

If I become a billionaire I will buy that land and make this happen for nothing in return!

I'd love for us to fill in the corners like they are doing at the HJ. Could increase the capacity by a few thousand and make the stadium look a whole lot better

I asked DW this at a party, and he told me the architects said it should be left open at the corners for ventilation of the pitch. Seems like someone bought that speil at the planning stages.

Fair enough. Shame though, it'd look nice if the corners were filled in

The DW is by far the best stadium in Super League.
Not too concerned about the corners, helps create a superb atmosphere when the North Stand is full, with no black netting needed to seperate fans.
DW has better facilities than any other stadium, in my opinion.
Disabled facilities, TV & media, corporate, view from any seat, parking, all better i feel.
Little things like concourses are better at Wigan.
At Hull the toilets are poor and you can't take a beer to your seat.
At Huddersfield if you queue for a pie & a pint at half time and its raining, you get wet through.

Nope.


The RFL takes gate receipts from playoffs but not food and beverage sales, which Saints would keep.


There is no reason not to. The chances of us having a frozen pitch in March is remote. But we would only be in the running for a WCC match if the GF holders were on this side of the Pennines.


No rumour. St Helens Town are playing their matches at the stadium. Saints secured Sport England funding as a result of that. In addition, the Council are running a youth facility at the stadium which (a) will generate income from the rent of the room and (b) refreshments will also generate income. There are already bookings for Christmas parties at the new stadium and the function room (separate from the room the Council will be using) is available for parties, weddings, conferences, exhibitions, you name it. There are also the boxes, which have now all been sold, and even the boardroom is up for rent. Plus, the shop is going to be based at the stadium and there is a sports bar there which is going to be open daily. The idea is for the stadium to be used 24/7.

Concourse is much better than at Old Trafford.

I like the Pie Dome, I quite like the Halliwell Jones too. Fans make the atmosphere not the ground, and whilst some grounds keep noise in and some let it out, I've been to games with great atmospheres at both grounds.

It's much use as an asset though is it? You can't realise the asset without selling the ground which kind of defeats the object.

You could use it as security for a mortgage or loan but why a club would want to raise the large sums of money that would require the bank to be demanding such security I am not sure.

The land belongs to the Council they are the landlords .

Think about the longevity aspect. In X amount of years time, Warrington/whoever need to move on, they can sell the land to fund further development.

Secondly, as you quite rightly point out, it provides security for borrowing for whatever reason. Better to have the facility than not. As for jaws1, I assume they are not referring to Warrington

content.yudu.com/Library/A1u54o/ ... chure-2012 if any of you are interested in organising an event at the new stadium

content.yudu.com/Library/A1u54o/ ... chure-2012 if any of you are interested in organising an event at the new stadium

The council own the land for Saints ground?

Nope.

Some people seem very determined to get the Council involved in this. They can't seem to accept that Saints own the stadium. The land is leasehold, 999 year lease, but that's nothing unusual in a commercial context. The land is owned by the developer, Langtree.

But Saints don't own the ground, and as such the land isn't an asset as they can't sell it if they wanted to?

In the same way that I'd your house is leasehold you don't own the land but you do own and can sell the property is on the land

Saints own the stadium, yes, but not the land it is built on, no, although of course they could buy out the freehold at a later date. But that's common practice in both the commercial and residential sectors. Saints are free to sell the stadium just as my parents are free to sell their house even though the land belongs to someone else.

6,790 for your last home game, all these figures about your new stadium and capacity are a little brave???????????

remember it's called the dw stadium not the IL stadium. even if wigan ath are relegated, they will still be in the fourth richest league in world football........a lot higher revenues than super league generate lads!!!! and better stadiums and still higher fan bases than ANY super league clubs.

be careful what you wish for

That's a little ironic given the turnout of Wigan fans for their playoff against the Dragons. But never mind. Short memories and all that.

Saints had an average of 11,000 at Knowsley Road for a few years prior to its demolition and so we can expect at least that at our new stadium. Since the capacity of our new stadium is only around 500 more than at Knowsley Road, I can't see capacity being an issue.